Switch and indicator



June 3, 1930. KOCHKA 1,761,348

SWITCH AND INDICATOR Filed July 16, 1927 Jrzvewfarf Patented June 3, 1930 PATENT OFFICE NORIBERT F. KOCI-IKA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SWITCH AND INDICATOR Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to improvements in switches and indicators and its objects are the provision of a generally improved and simplified single push button snap switch and a generally improved and simplified 1ndicator for indicating whether the switch is open or closed. I p

The indicator, per se, is not limited to a particular purpose but may be employed wherever it is desired to indicate On and Off positions and where there is a finger piece or other element, theposltion of which changes with said On and Off positions.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is afront elevational view of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 4 is a more or less diagrammatic de veloped view of the groove for turning the push button with the depressionsand projections thereof; 'and I Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rotatable type operating knob embodying the indicator. of the'present invention.

. Referring to the drawing the switch shown comprises an internal insulating cup 5 hav ing its inner end closed at 6 and its outer end open at 8.

Supported on the outer open end of cup 5 and diametrically oppositely disposed are thecontacts 9 and 10. The contacts 9 and 10 extend radially inwardly from the interior of the cup 5 and have outwardly extending angular legs 12 fitting over the outer end of the cup 5 and secured thereto as by means of screws 13. The contacts 9 and 10 are connected into the electric circuit as well understood in the art and the'circuit leads may be connected thereto through the screws 13 which may serve as terminal screws. I

The movable blade or switch member "15 for connecting and disconnecting the contacts 9 and 10 is pivoted at 16, 16 upon the opposite legs of a supporting frame 18suitably mounted as at its inner end 19 upon the ner e d Wall 6 of the insul ting cup 5.

1927. Serial NO. 206,208.

The blade or switch member 15 has a generally U-shaped leg 20 along the free leg of which one of the pivots 16 is disposed. The blade 15 itself is adapted for contact at its opposite ends with the contacts9 and 10 as shown in Fig. 3 and is adapted to be swung about the pivots 16 in a clockwise direction to move the ends of the same out of engage ment with the contacts 9 and 10.

The switch is opened and closed by a single push button 22 having sliding and turning movement in a supporting ring or ferrule 23 rigidly carried at the outer end of the sup porting frame 18. An arm 25 suitably pivoted at 26 in the innerend of the button 22, extends inwardly and has spaced from its inner end lateral lugs 28, one projecting laterally from each edge. A coiled spring 30 connected between the inner end of the arm 25 and the outerend of the free arm 32 of the generally U-shaped leg 20 of the switch blade yieldingly maintains the proper relative positioning of the arm 25 and blade 15.

Also swingably mounted upon one of the pivots 16 is a generally T-shaped arm 35 having a head designated at 36 and an inwardly extending leg designated at 38. An

eyed pin pivoted at one end to the inner end of the leg 38 projects slidingly through the base 42 (Fig. 2) of the U-shaped leg 20 U and a coiled spring 43 surrounds the pin 40 and is confined between its pivoted end and the base 12.

In operation the arm 25 is the actuating member and the arm 35 with the blade leg 20 forms a toggle mechanism actuated by the button 22 through the arm and adapted for snapping the blade 15 quickly from one position to another and particularly from closed to open position. lvith the switch closed as shown in Fig. 3 when the button 22 is depressed, the arm 25 is projected inward- 1y thereby and the upper lug 28 of the arm 25 engaging the adjacent end of the head 36 of the arm 35 swings the arm 35 in a counter clock-Wise direction. As the pivotal connection between the pin 40 and the arm 38 moves downwardly below a line or plane drawn through the aXis of the pivot 16 and through the sliding connection of the pin @0 Jon is self understanding.

in the base 42, the spring 43 acts upon the base 42 to swing the leg 20 upwardly and the blade 15 thereby in a clock-wise position from closed to open position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The lower end of the head 36 is thereupon moved into engagement with the lower lug 28 and the spring 30 returns the button 22 outwardly to its normally projected position. Then on the succeeding depression of the button 22, the lower lug 28 acts similarly upon the lower end of the head 36, repeating the toggle action in the opposite direction and closing the switch with the parts positioned as shown in full lines in Fig. 3 so that upon the next depression of the button 22 the switch will be again opened as previously described. As the switch is closed, the spring 30 again acts to return the button 22 to its normal projected position.

The switch may be enclosed in a casing or cup-like shell 50. Switches of this sort are commonly used in connection with lighting circuits and the switch is shown as positioned in an opening 52 in the wall 53. The opening 52 is covered by a wall or escutcheon plate 54 having an opening 55 through which the button 22 projects.

From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that I have provided for opening and closing the circuit with a single push button which is self returning to projected position following each depression. The snap action provides a quick opening and incidentally a quick closing and the construction is generally improved, simplified and inexpensive.

For the purpose of indicating whether the switch is open or closed the outer end of the button is provided with a marking which is positioned to read On as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 when the switch is closed. Then for the purpose of changing the readin g, I provide for turning the button through 180 degrees with each depression and the accon'ipi-tnying projection. The 180 degree turning movement inverts the marking 60 and positions same to read No following every other depression of the button 22. This affords a visual indication at all times as to whether the switch is open or closed, On indicating closed position of the switch and the same marking inverted to read No indicating open position of the switch. Additional indicators and actuating connections between them and the switch button are thereby eliminated and by using the same word in different positions to indicate the different conditions of the switch, the marking itself is simplified and assures a correct r and easly understandable indication at all times. Where different colors, for example, are employed the operator or other-person must be familiar with what the color indicates whereas the On and No indication This provision has utility where a large number of switches or other controls are mounted on a board or wherever else desired.

For this purpose of turning the button in the same direction with its alternate depressions and projections the periphery of the button is provided with a cam groove 62 having two pairs of reversibly inclined portions 63, 63 and 64, 64. A pin 65 fixedly mounted on the ring 23 engages in the groove 62 and by its co-operation therewith turns the button through 90 degrees at it s depressed and through another 90 degrees upon the following projection, completing-a 180 degree movement for each manipulation of the button. The 180 degree movement turns the word On upside down or vice versa to give the desired indication. The outer side of the reversely inclined groove portions 64, 64 are flattened slightly at 68 so that the pin will take over the same and turn the button 22 continuously in the same direction with the alternate depressions and projections.

The indicator is not limited to a particular use or purpose but may be employed as and where desired. In Fig. 5, for example, the indicator is shown at 60 embodied upon a rotatable operating knob 65 for imparting the desired operation Without the push action. This provision may be used in connection with any mechanism which is adapted to be turned on and off and in which there is a member which is turned through substantially 180 degrees in changing from one condition to another.

The No or Off position is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 at 60.

I claim:

1. In a push button switch, the combination of a. switch mechanism, a push button for opening and closing said switch mechanism, means for turning said button unidirectionally 180 by the combined depression and succeeding projection of said button and for turning said button unidirectionally 180 in the opposite direction by the combined succeeding depression and projection of the button and a single indicator marking disposed upon said button to indicate that the switch mechanism is closed in one projected position of the button and inverted by the alternate depressions and projections of the button to'indicate that the switch mechanism is open.

2. In a push button switch, the combination of a switch mechanism, a push button for opening and closing said switch mecha nism, means for turning said button unidirectionally 180 by the combined depression and succeedingprojection of said button and for turning said button unidi rectionally 180 in the opposite direction by the combined succeeding depression and projection of the button and a single indicator marking disposed upon said button to indicate that the switch mechanism is closed in one projected position of the button and inverted by the alternate depressions and projections of the button to indicate that the switch mechanism is open, said indicator marking comprising the symbol reading On in one projected position of the button and inverted to read No in the other projected position of the button.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 13th day of July 1927.

, N ORBERT F. KOCHKA. 

